Yilan stepped forward with a smile and asked.
"How’s it coming along?"
The two maids were startled, quickly turning around to pay their respects.
"Why have you come here, County Princess? It’s dirty here, you should step outside to avoid it!"
"It’ll be done soon, in just another quarter of an hour at most!"
Yilan waved her hand with a smile.
"No need to be nervous!"
"I have nothing much to do, I just want to stand here for a while!"
"I just woke up not long ago and wanted to stretch my legs a bit!"
The two maids knew the real reason and were very worried, but seeing the County Princess’s calm expression, they had no choice but to agree.
A quarter of an hour later, the tonic was ready.
From the delicate little medicine pot, only a bowlful of tonic soup was poured out.
After it cooled down slightly, Yilan raised the tonic soup to her lips.
The aroma immediately filled her senses, it wasn’t bitter but also not pleasant.
Yet, thinking about how these were expensive tonics that could restore her complexion and enhance her health.
She hesitated no longer and drank it all in one gulp.
"The County Princess is impressive."
For her maidservants who accompanied her from home, seeing the mistress take these tonics brought them more joy than if they had taken it themselves.
If the mistress is well, they can be well too!
...
Returning from the Imperial Kitchen.
Yilan ordered herself a hearty late-night snack.
From now on, she vowed never to wrong herself again.
The more he disliked her, the better she would live; she would live well and for a long time.
With her presence, his concubine would never rise to prominence.
This was the only thing she could do now, and it was also the most powerful blow.
The curtains in the bedroom were soon drawn.
The colors were beautiful and the fabric exquisite, decorated with layers upon layers of hibiscus flowers embroidered in gold thread, so enchanting that one couldn’t take their eyes off it.
During the day, when the curtains were drawn up, her boudoir was intricate and luxurious, with no hint of any secret.
At night, when the curtains came down, the large bedroom was divided into two separate worlds.
Both occupied a space, ignoring each other.
The days passed like this.
They both adhered to their agreement, and after a long time, they could even exchange a few polite words like strangers.
...
Late autumn passed, and winter arrived on schedule, with a few bouts of snow lightly decorating the plum groves outside the Capital City with new scenery.
Yue Er asked Yilan to join her in appreciating the view, and Yilan graciously agreed.
The two chose a day with good weather to go together.
In the carriage leaving the city, Yilan asked.
"Why isn’t Wei Yu coming?"
Yue Er replied with a smile.
"She hasn’t left the house yet, unlike you with your freedom."
Noblewomen could go out as long as they were adequately attended by servants, but those who hadn’t married, especially those who hadn’t even discussed marriage, were a different matter altogether.
Not stepping out of the main gate was the basic rule for distinguished ladies, both great and humble.
Yilan’s lips curved into a faint bitter smile.
Freedom? Indeed, she was quite free now.
Suddenly, Yue Er asked.
"How have you been? I haven’t seen you in two or three months!"
Yilan blurted out.
"I’m doing great! I have no household responsibilities to worry about for now, spending my days idly eating and drinking, I’ve even gained a bit of weight!"
She feigned a light-hearted tone.
Yue Er frowned.
"Truly!"
She scrutinized her, noticing that Yilan’s complexion was indeed good and rosy.
But Yue Er still frowned slightly and remarked.
"Good health and good spirits are two different matters!"
"To me, you don’t seem happy at all!"
Yilan chuckled and pinched Yue Er’s soft cheek.
"What nonsense are you spouting, I married the person I most wanted to, how could I not be happy?"
"If you don’t believe me, go inquire and see how well my husband and I get along?"
Yue Er tilted her head to avoid her hand, speaking lightly.
"I don’t need to inquire to know you’re not doing well!"
Yilan laughed more, but as she did, tears started flowing unrestrained.
"You..."
She sniffed.
"You’re really going overboard!"
Yue Er looked at her with a hint of reproach.
"You have the nerve to say I’m going overboard, who’s more overboard here?"
"You’ll deceive me, but don’t forget we grew up together, can you really fool me?"
Yilan said nothing more, burying her head on Yue Er’s shoulder and crying silently.
Her shoulders shook, and soon her whole body trembled slightly.
Yue Er’s gaze gradually turned icy, and her expression became serious.
"What’s really going on?"
"It’s only been two or three months since we last met, and you’ve become like this?"
Someone once so strong now crying on her shoulder like this; it was unimaginable how much she had endured.